String Data; Expression Data; Block Data - Agilent Technologies 8712ET Programmer's Manual

Data Types and Encoding
Data Types

String Data

String data consists of ASCII characters. The string must be enclosed by
a delimiter, either single quotes ('This is string data.') or double
quotes ("This is also string data."). To include the delimiter as a
character in the string, it must be typed twice without any characters in
between. The analyzer always uses double quotes when it returns string
data.

Expression Data

Expression data consists of mathematical expressions that use character
parameters. When expression data is sent to the analyzer, it is always
enclosed in parentheses (such as (IMPL/CH1SMEM) or (IMPL)). The
analyzer returns expression data enclosed in double quotes.

Block Data

The block data mode is typically used to transfer large quantities of
related data (like a data trace). Blocks can be sent as definite length
blocks or indefinite length blocks — the instrument will accept either
form. The analyzer always returns definite length block data in response
to queries.
Definite Block Length
The general form for a definite block length transfer is:
#<num_digits><num_bytes><data_bytes>
In the definite length block, two numbers must be specified. The single
decimal digit <num_digits> specifies how many digits are contained in
<num_bytes>. The decimal number <num_bytes> specifies how many
data bytes will follow in <data_bytes>. An example IBASIC (or HP
BASIC) statement to send ABC+XYZ as a definite block length parameter
is shown; note that the data block contains seven bytes (7) and only one
digit is needed to describe the block length 1.
OUTPUT 716;"#17ABC+XYZ"
4-4 Programmer's Guide